Bill > H4604

This bill aims to ensure merit-based, transparent, and non-discriminatory admissions and hiring practices in South Carolina's public higher education institutions by requiring comprehensive reporting and accountability. The legislation mandates that each public college and university must publicly disclose their evaluation criteria, scoring systems, and eligibility requirements before each admission and hiring cycle, and cannot use any undisclosed criteria in their decision-making processes. Institutions must annually publish detailed demographic data about applicant pools, admissions, hiring, and outcomes, and must submit corrective action plans if persistent disparities are identified. The bill requires evaluators to complete bias-prevention training, document specific reason codes for adverse decisions, and maintain records for potential review. The Commission on Higher Education will be responsible for auditing institutions, reviewing decision-making processes, and enforcing compliance, with the authority to issue penalties for institutions that do not adhere to equal protection standards. While the bill explicitly states that it does not create preferences or quotas, it is designed to prevent hidden discrimination and protect equal opportunity in higher education, with the broader goals of maintaining public trust, ensuring due process, and supporting South Carolina's future workforce competitiveness.

Education

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=4604&session=126&summary=B